Alex Gordon stays hot and hits grand slam to help beat Twins

Alex Gordon’s third career grand slam highlighted a five-run fourth inning that gave the Royals the lead and eventual 8-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.

Gordon’s hit streak has reached nine games and the third straight in which he has homered. During the streak he’s raised his average from .199 to .219, going 13-for-34, a 382 clip.

“I was probably trying to do too much, trying to get out of a slump, which it’s hard not to do,” Gordon said. “I’m just trying to stay with the basics and put together good at-bats and luckily it’s been happening a little bit more lately.”

It was the fifth straight win for the Royals, who remains 6 1/2 out in the AL Wild Card race.